The Robocop remake brings on a former Batman to play the villain in place of Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie recently bowed out of the ROBOCOP remake that is reportedly swiftly becoming "hell" for director Jose Padilha, despite bringing a whole new layer of class to the proceedings with his planned turn as villain Raymond Sellars. But never fear, those Schmoes amongst you who were worried that Laurie's departure would jeopardize the movie's planned September start date - the role of Sellars, aka CEO of the company that constructs Robocop, will now be played by none other than Michael Keaton.

Aside from a few recent big-budget turns (TOY STORY 3, THE OTHER GUYS) movieplexes haven't seen much of Keaton lately, so it's good to see the dude working again. Hopefully it's also something worth seeing. Despite shitty script reviews and all that, I'm withholding judgement on this one for the time being.

A little less than a year from now, boys and girls. August 9th, 2013 to be precise.

In the words of Padilha: “Michael is the final addition to the amazing cast we have assembled for this film and it is so great to have the last puzzle piece in place. It is thrilling that everything has come together to bring this innovative new vision of RoboCop to life. We’ve got a great script, a great cast, some killer ED-209’s and I can’t wait to get Alex Murphy back on the streets."

Best casting news so far...

Keaton is someone who is massively underrated these days. Since word got out that his price tag had gotten too high after his Tim Burton success, he was pretty much blacklisted in Hollywood. He really got a raw deal, considering there are a lot worse actors who demand much more these days, and get it. Unfortunately, since his Oscar worthy turn in Jackie Brown, he's only managed to get bit parts in good movies, and big parts in bad ones. I'm hoping, if anything, this'll be the former. He

Keaton is someone who is massively underrated these days. Since word got out that his price tag had gotten too high after his Tim Burton success, he was pretty much blacklisted in Hollywood. He really got a raw deal, considering there are a lot worse actors who demand much more these days, and get it. Unfortunately, since his Oscar worthy turn in Jackie Brown, he's only managed to get bit parts in good movies, and big parts in bad ones. I'm hoping, if anything, this'll be the former. He deserves the chance to remind filmmakers what he can do, and maybe get his career back on the fast track... We've got a competent director behind the camera, and solid cast... Let's just hope that studio interference doesn't dick with this too much.

If the film is so awful, like all the supposed leaked stuff suggests, how are they getting such a good cast, and even great recasting when someone drops out? There's something unusual about this film. I'd love it to be great, but the combination of reboot and supposedly terrible script makes me wonder why loads of cool actors are onboard. Would like to think it was more than just a paycheck.

If the film is so awful, like all the supposed leaked stuff suggests, how are they getting such a good cast, and even great recasting when someone drops out? There's something unusual about this film. I'd love it to be great, but the combination of reboot and supposedly terrible script makes me wonder why loads of cool actors are onboard. Would like to think it was more than just a paycheck.

great cast...

...just like the recall remake, but I want this to fail in epic proportions. To be perfectly honest I never liked the original...so sue me. I really wish Hollywood would get their heads out of their assess and make movies that are fun and worth seeing again. Maybe the world is actually coming to an end in a couple months.

P.s. saw expendables this week...had a blast

Spoiler alert:

I love how Chuck Norris would show up outta nowhere. Almost reminded me of something you would see in a

...just like the recall remake, but I want this to fail in epic proportions. To be perfectly honest I never liked the original...so sue me. I really wish Hollywood would get their heads out of their assess and make movies that are fun and worth seeing again. Maybe the world is actually coming to an end in a couple months.

P.s. saw expendables this week...had a blast

Spoiler alert:

I love how Chuck Norris would show up outta nowhere. Almost reminded me of something you would see in a movie like Airplane or Naked Gun...so excited but at the same time...Wtf!

So...

Peter Weller is now voicing Batman in the THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS animated feature, which was a huge influence on the original ROBOCOP with it's satirical take on the media and pop culture, and then lead to Frank Miller himself penning the sequels, and now Michael Keaton and Gary Oldman are in the ROBOCOP remake? Looks like the BATMAN/ROBOCOP connection continues on.

Peter Weller is now voicing Batman in the THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS animated feature, which was a huge influence on the original ROBOCOP with it's satirical take on the media and pop culture, and then lead to Frank Miller himself penning the sequels, and now Michael Keaton and Gary Oldman are in the ROBOCOP remake? Looks like the BATMAN/ROBOCOP connection continues on.

I have a joygasm anytime Michael Keaton is cast in anything these days. The dude is amazing. I hope that despite the awful script review this movie can still be something good. Great actors can elevate even the weakest script. And with this cast, it's still a possibility.

I have a joygasm anytime Michael Keaton is cast in anything these days. The dude is amazing. I hope that despite the awful script review this movie can still be something good. Great actors can elevate even the weakest script. And with this cast, it's still a possibility.